Proverbs 4:17

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 4:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.
Proverbs 4:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For they eat the bread of wickedness, etc.] Either that is gotten by wicked and unlawful means, or wickedness itself is bread unto them; it is that to their minds as bread is to their bodies; they feed upon it with as much eagerness, appetite, gust, and pleasure; it is a sweet morsel to them; it is meat, drink, sleep, and everything to them; they take the highest satisfaction and the utmost delight in it; and drink the wine of violence: either that which is obtained by rapine and violence; or they as greedily commit such acts of oppression and injury as a man drinks a glass of wine; they do not drink up iniquity like water only, but even like wine, the most generous and delicious. Wherefore…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The counsel which has come to him, in substance, from his father. Compare it with 2 Samuel 23:2 etc.; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 1 Chronicles 29:17; Psalms 15:1-5; Psalms 24:1-10; Psalms 37:0. Proverbs 4:7 Or, “The beginning of wisdom is - get wisdom.” To seek is to find, to desire is to obtain. Proverbs 4:12 The ever-recurring parable of the journey of life. In the way of wisdom the path is clear and open, obstacles disappear; in the quickest activity (“when thou runnest”) there is no risk of falling. Proverbs 4:13 She is thy life - Another parallel between personified Wisdom in this book and the Incarnate Wisdom in John 1:4. Proverbs 4:16 A fearful stage of debasement. Sin is the condition without…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“For - Wickedness is as pleasant to them as their bread. Proverbs 4:18”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:17 To eat . . . wickedness and drink . . . violence means that those attributes are at the very center of someone’s life. Just as we eat and drink to stay alive, evil people sustain themselves by committing evil acts.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Pro 9:17, Pro 20:17; Job 24:5, Job 24:6; Psa 14:4; Jer 5:26-28; Eze 22:25-29; Amo 8:4-6; Mic 3:5, Mic 6:12; Zep 3:3; Mat 23:14; Jam 5:4, Jam 5:5 Proverbs 4:18”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification